Ancient Wonders of Egypt

Arrive in Cairo meet and assist at the airport, transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast you will begin your day with a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum where you will find art crafts of the Pharaonic era and the treasures of king Tutankhamun’s tomb. After the museum you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then continue to visit the Giza Plateau, home of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx Temple Complex. The largest among the six pyramids stands the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Standing 480 feet tall this pyramid is unique in that it is based on the number 5, and its top points directly to the middle star in the constellation Orion’s belt. After visiting these fabulous monuments, you will travel on to see the inscrutable and mysterious Sphinx Temple.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, visit the magnificent Temples of Karnack, dating back over 3,000 years. Walk along the avenue of Sphinxes and marvel at the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive sandstone columns. Visit Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II. After exploring this ancient structure, embark on the Nile Cruise. Overnight onboard.

Early morning views the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank that includes the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut along with Colossi of Memnon. Begin with a visit to the UNESCO listed Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of Thebes and admire the tombs of ancient Egypt’s rulers. Next, head to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a colonnaded structure surrounded by cliffs and learn about the life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s longest-reigning female ruler. Visit an alabaster factory, where you can view a demonstration of grinding alabaster the old fashion way. Check the extensive collection of alabaster pieces. Visit the Colossi of Memnon: two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the ship for lunch and start sailing onward to Edfu via Esna. Overnight onboard.

This morning, visit the stunning Temple of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. It was built during the Ptolemaic times and was completed over a 180-year period. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size are an indication of the country’s prosperity at the time. Next, tour the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the sky god and Sobek, the crocodile god. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls. Return to the ship for dinner Overnight onboard.

After breakfast take a tour to the spectacular Aswan High Dam, an engineering miracle when originally constructed in the 1960. The dam brought an end to the Nile’s destructive floods. Take a tour to Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Arrive by motorboat and marvel at the Temple’s beautiful island location. On the way back to the Cruise, stop at a local perfume shop. During your visit, you can watch the creation of perfumes. Select a fragrance and choose from a wide selection of glass bottle containers. Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon enjoy a relaxing ride aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile and watch the exquisite sunset. Overnight onboard.

After breakfast, morning optional tour of Abu Simbel. Flight from Aswan transports you back in time to the mighty Temple of Abu Simbel, reclaimed from the floodwaters of the Aswan High Dam and totally reconstructed in the present location. The site is dominated by the looming twin temples of Ramses II and his wife Queen
Nefertiti. It is one of the most highlighted ancient sites of Egypt, afterwards transfer to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival to Cairo transfer to your hotel and overnight.

After breakfast at hotel, enjoy free time until your transfer to Cairo airport for your homebound flight.

B – Breakfast          L – Lunch          D – Dinner